CLARKSVILLE — Students at Clarksville’s campus of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology were treated like five-star athletes last week.

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Tennessee College of Applied Technology’s first Career-Technical Education and NC3 Signing Day brought out many high school students in the Clarksville area who want a more concentrated education in the field of technology.(Photo: Courtney Gaither/For The Leaf-Chronicle)

Though it wasn’t an average National Signing Day that high-school athletes take part in, Tennessee College of Applied Technology’s first Career-Technical Education and NC3 Signing Day brought out many high school students in the Clarksville area who want a more concentrated education in the field of technology.

“Our main focus for student recruitment is workforce development,” said Debbie Griffin, TCAT’s campus coordinator. “There is a high demand for technical skills, and we hope to train students and prepare them for their future careers.”

Automotive, computer information technology, cosmetology, industrial maintenance/ electricity, machine tool, welding and HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning are just some of the courses offered at TCAT that students signed up for.

Clarksville High School senior Levi Harp said he chose welding “because it’s fun and simplistic, and it’s a good paying job.”

Local businesses like TRANE and Agero had representatives speak on behalf of their companies and to congratulate the students who were signing.

One of TCAT’s more popular courses, HVAC, was a popular choice among the students. Trane signed a majority of students interested in HVAC, including Northwest senior Chase Pruitt who said, “I’m really excited I chose HVAC. It seems really cool, I just like learning new things.”

Seven of TCAT’s campuses across the state participated in the event, and 300 students were anticipated to sign up from these campuses.

“I’m glad our college is participating in the signing; why not promote our school?” said current welding student Merin Ellingwood. “It will only put our school more out there to be noticed.”

TCAT’s Clarksville campus signed 12 students into several different programs:

Automotive: Dalton Bell, Montgomery Central High School

Computer Information Technology: Nicholas Young, Rossview High School

Cosmetology: Savannah Perry and Shannon Yarborough, Clarksville High School